Notes on the hierarchy of demons and evil spirits: higher and lower echelons

Entities from other realms are categorized as Higher and Lower. For instance, the 72 demons mentioned in the Goetia, part of the Lesser Key of Solomon, are ranked among the highest, from barons to kings. These ranks mirror, in a way, the Hierarchy of Angels, reflecting the adage, “As above, so below.”

The least powerful among the 72 demons of Goetia is an evil spirit named Furcas, who holds the rank of knight and commands 20 legions of subordinate demons. For simplicity, we refer to the lesser spirits as evil spirits, and the more powerful ones as demons, who may have once been fallen angels that became corrupt through their wickedness.

This is what happens when someone ventures into the spiritual realm unprepared. For instance, those that they conducted an evocation ritual without protective circles, or attempted to summon the spirit of the dead. Initially, it is the lowest of the evil spirits that are drawn to such acts. They can be envisioned as a pack of otherworldly hounds, mute and driven by base passions such as lust, aggression, alcoholism, fear, and hatred.

These are the entities that heed the call of a magician performing deceitful rituals. These spirits envelop a person and follow them en masse, which can be seen as a form of curse. When surrounded by such lower demons, a person may quickly become intoxicated, encounter misfortune, or become embroiled in conflict, leading to various troubles.

Lower demons are expelled like parasites through a virtuous life; when one is not overwhelmed by passions, they starve, having nothing to consume. However, merely reciting prayers amused the demons, making them objects of ridicule:

“Go ahead, try it—you think it will aid you, you think Christ will shield you—but your prayers are of no concern to us.”

Higher demons masqueraded and still masquerade as gods. For instance, Beelzebub was revered by the Jews, and his name appears in the Bible as Baal Zebub, which might explain why Jesus said to them, “Your father is the Devil.” The Bible also frequently references other high-ranking demons such as Astaroth, Mammon, and Belial.

Judges 2:13, “They forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Astarte.

Many demons, whose names remain unknown, are believed to assume the roles of gods in various traditions such as Hinduism.

From what is known about demons, medieval grimoires also offer insights. However, there is no consensus on their roles. For instance, “The Sacred Magic of Abramelin” suggests that demons are under the command of four supreme kings—Lucifer, Leviathan, Satan, Belial—each ruling a part of the world. Meanwhile, “The True Grimoire” presents demons led by a Devil’s Trinity, in contrast to the Christian Trinity, comprising Astaroth, Lucifer, and Beelzebub.

Here is the categorization of demons in Alfonso de Spina’s “Fortalitium fidei” from 1459. It’s astonishing that 15th-century books are so rare, and this one has not been translated or digitized for 500 years, existing only as a Latin PDF. It’s hard to believe that such books are withheld from society. The most fascinating part is the last section on demons, where he details how demons are classified by their occupations.

There are demons believed to weave the threads of fate, similar to Ariadne or the Moirai. It is said that such demons hint at the true nature of the Greek gods. Poltergeists are another type of demon, known for creating noise, moving objects, and residing in homes with negative energy, often hiding things and playing mischievous tricks.

Brownies are sometimes considered akin to these lesser demons, as suggested by certain religious teachings. Nightmares are often attributed to demons that exhaust a person, leaving them feeling drained upon waking, even if they do not remember the dream. These are the stranglers, known in ancient Greece, who are said to sit on a sleeper’s chest.

Succubi and incubi are demons that appear to men in the form of a woman or man, respectively. In cemeteries, ghouls are said to feed on the energy of the dead, and under certain conditions, the remnants of a deceased person’s astral body may become a demon.

Sabbath demons are associated with witches’ gatherings, where they are believed to participate in orgies, kiss animals, pray to the devil, and desecrate crosses. These demons are said to patronize witch covens, supported by lesser demons known as familiars, which assist witches in their endeavors. Each of the seven deadly sins is also associated with a specific demon: Asmodeus with lust, Mammon with greed, and Behemoth with gluttony, to name a few.

In addition to higher and lower demons, several other groups exist: Air entities, which tempt the soul after death (hence the importance of prayers for the deceased); earthly spirits that dwell in forests, fields, and waters; subterranean hellish spirits; and the nocturnal death spirits, considered the most malevolent and fearsome.

There is a fascinating concept that suggests a group of demons are involved in technology. According to this idea, many scientific and technological advancements, as well as the progress of civilization, are driven by demons for their own objectives. For instance, Socrates claimed to have heard a voice in his head that shared profound insights with him. Similarly, the figure Azazel is credited with teaching humans metallurgy and the discovery of precious stones.

Observing the rapid emergence and global spread of mobile phones, one might wonder at the complexity of such technologies. For example, the process of growing a crystal to create a nanometer processor is incredibly intricate, yet this technology is now commonplace in everyone’s phone. This notion posits that there are unseen forces inspiring people with the necessary inventions.

Johann Weyer’s “Pseudo-Monarchy of Demons,” part of the treatise “Magic of Demons” (1563), is also noteworthy. Regarded as the father of psychiatry, his work was deemed by Sigmund Freud as one of the most significant for the field. The text lists 69 demons, with some overlapping names found in Goetia. A key aspect of both “Pseudo-Monarchy” and Goetia is the focus on the demonic aristocracy, such as princes and dukes of demons. These entities are considered more dangerous and cunning, yet more intelligent than the blindly malicious lower demons.

Throughout history, many kings and popes have been said to be in close contact with their personal demons. Similarly, today it is believed that demons whisper to those in power, guiding their actions and decisions. This connection with demons is what secretive societies and paramasonic organizations are rumored to engage in. If something is good, why hide it? Why obscure the light of truth? As Jesus stated, no one hides a lit candle under a pot; instead, they place it higher so its light can reach all. Therefore, if knowledge is concealed, it is often assumed that its origins are malevolent.

On a side note, the classifications of demons by theorists are intriguing but not particularly practical. They merely reflect human attempts to understand their world and impose physical standards. The true nature of these dark spiritual entities is chaotic and defies any standards. We can establish norms in our realm, but not in theirs, where only non-human fear and anger exist.

When you hear whispers and glimpse shadows in the night, the status of the entity before you, be it a baron or a count, becomes irrelevant. The primal sensation of danger will overwhelm you, urging you to flee as swiftly as you can.